By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Prominent gospel musician Dorcas Vambe, also known as Mai Dhuterere, has been set free from fraud charges involving an alleged scam that defrauded a man of US$16,000.
Harare Magistrate Tapiwa Banda removed Vambe from remand, stating that the state can continue with prosecution if it chooses to do so by summons.
Vambe has been embroiled in legal troubles since her arrest in December last year, during which she was out on US$100 bail.
Prosecutors alleged that she deceived Chrispen Magaya, a former Zanu PF candidate in Glen Norah constituency, by claiming she could import a Toyota GD6 vehicle duty-free with the assistance of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who purportedly appreciated her music.
According to the charges, Vambe learned of Magaya’s intention to purchase a vehicle in September last year. She, along with her brother Kudakwashe, allegedly devised a plan to defraud him by claiming to have access to a car sale in Botswana that could meet his needs within his US$16,000 budget. They asserted that Magaya’s funds could secure two Toyota Hilux GD6 vehicles instead of one.
Magaya handed over the money to Vambe, who acknowledged its receipt through a commissioned affidavit, promising to deliver the two vehicles within two weeks. However, it is alleged that Vambe and her brother converted the funds for personal use instead.
Vambe reportedly later provided Magaya with a Ford Ranger that was not registered in Zimbabwe and held temporary registration plates. The deal then shifted, with an arrangement that Magaya would pay an additional fee for a Mercedes Benz C200 in compensation for the undelivered vehicles.
As the situation unfolded, the Ford Ranger was impounded by the police due to an expired temporary import permit, prompting Magaya to file a police complaint against Vambe.
Adding to the complications of her situation, reports suggest that Vambe’s husband, Mambo Dhuterere, has abandoned her while she is eight months pregnant.
Allegations concerning the fraud case are reported to be one of the contributing factors to this personal crisis.